Memorandum by John Lovick concerning the fees earned by the Secretary of North Carolina

Lovick, John, d. 1733

August 03,
1731

Volume 03, Pages 198-199

[B. P. R. O. Am: & W. Ind: Vol. 22. P. 120.]

Mr LOVICKS VALUATION OF THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE OF NORTH CAROLINA AT £582.10. PER AN:

To His Excellency George Burrington, Governor of His Majesty's Province of North Carolina.

Edenton August 3rd 1731.

Sir,

In obedience to your Excellencys directions I here send you an Estimate of the Value of the Secretary's office upon a Medium for seven years last past, I believe at present it is not of the value it was which is wholly owing to the High Quit rent that is put upon the Land; for it was a great Inducement to the settlement of this little Colony, that Land was to be taken up at a Quarter the Value that it was in our Neighbouring Province of Virginia, and the Quit rent being the same as in Virginia all new comers into that Province chose to come in here but now that the taking up of Land is made more difficult than it is in Virginia & the rent is double to what it is there, it will rather drive People from hence thither than Encourage any of them to settle here; And I believe your Excellency is very sensible that this is the true ground for the stop that is put to all business, not one survey or Patent having been made or issued that I hear of since your Excellencys arrival, and I am afraid few

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will be made unless the Quit rent is altered for People will always settle where they can live with most Ease, and are least Burthened. I could not help saying this much because perhaps when the Estimate is seen, it might be asked why the office is not so good now as it was.

ESTIMATE OF THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE OF NO: CAROLINA.

200 Patents one year with another

£122

“

10s

“

—

200 Warrants for taking up of Lands

50

“

—

“

—

Lapse & Escheat Patents about 80 one year with another

100

“

—

“

—

Clerks office

100

“

—

“

—

To Wills, Probates & Am̄ icons yearly

80

“

—

“

—

To Council Business yearly

50

“

—

“

—

Writts of Escheat & Testimonials

40

“

—

“

—

Sallery per. annum

40

“

—

“

—

£582

“

10

“

—

I have formerly made much more of it, but the Distractions heretofore in the Government prevented many from coming in that otherwise would have settled here. And your Excellency may perceive by the Estimate that the principal Fees in the office is what arises from the Settling Lands.